Canadian Real Estate Wealth: Public or Private REITs: What’s the Safer Bet?

February 14, 2013 - Press Release

Houses morph into up arrowsAs in picking a school, the decision to go public or private with your REIT investment will have significant impact on your wallet.

With the housing market in flux, more and more investors are investing in those real estate investment trusts to diversify their portfolios. And with companies like Allied Properties REIT (TSX:AP.UN) announcing plans this week for a $21.3 million expansion into Western Canada, it’s no surprise investors are doing their research.

One key consideration? The difference between buying a publicly-listed or private REIT.

“The main difference between a private and public REIT is how they’re structured,” says Marcel Greaux. “In a public market REIT, your evaluation is based on the current market value. So if an announcement is made that causes the market to go down and you buy into that REIT, you’re not necessarily buying the value of what that’s property is worth.”

Conversely with a private REIT, the evaluation of worth is based on the aggregate of the portfolio assessed by an independent appraiser.

“You’re always buying units at the appraised value as opposed to market value with a public REIT,” he says.

So what else should investors consider when deciding to go private or public?

  • With a public REIT, your unit value may be diluted from commissions and fees associated with public trading. “With a private REIT, you don’t have those fees from the constant trading so the value may be somewhat more insulated,” says Greaux.
  • There is more flexibility when it comes to moving your money in a private REIT. “With a private REIT,” Greaux explains, “when the property increases in value you can essentially get your money out through cash distributions, or if there’s a refinance, you can invest your units at a high dollar into new projects.”
  • Greaux recommends investors consult a lawyer or accountant when shifting to REITs, as there are tax advantages to trading in securities.
  • The main thing you want to look at with a REIT is who’s running them. Greaux advises to do due diligence on the management team and its history before deciding to buy. “You want to know their history and performance, because you’re totally hands off and you have no say essentially in how that portfolio is run,” he says.
  • Lastly, Greaux advises investors to leverage their options when it comes to leases. “Make sure they have long-term leases that stagger in their due date, so that your cash flow from the distributions remains consistent.”

View the original article on Canadian Real Estate Wealth.

About Skyline Apartment REIT

Skyline Apartment REIT (the “REIT”) is a privately owned and managed portfolio of primarily multi-residential properties, focused on acquiring both established and newly developed properties in secondary and tertiary communities across Canada.

Skyline Apartment REIT is distributed as an alternative investment product through Skyline Wealth Management Inc. (“Skyline Wealth Management”), the exclusive Exempt Market Dealer for the REIT.

Skyline Apartment REIT is committed to providing best in class apartment suites and service to its residential tenants, while surfacing value with a goal to deliver stable returns to its investors.

To learn more about Skyline Apartment REIT, please visit SkylineApartmentREIT.ca.

To learn more about Skyline Apartment REIT and other alternative investment products offered through Skyline Wealth Management, please visit SkylineWealth.ca.

Skyline Apartment REIT is operated and managed by Skyline Group of Companies.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Bethany Curtis
Manager, Content Marketing and Communications
Skyline Group of Companies
5 Douglas Street, Suite 301
Guelph, ON N1H 2S8
519.826.0439 x231

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The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only and is derived from sources that Skyline Apartment REIT believes are reliable. This website does not constitute an offer of, or solicitation for, the purchase and sale of any securities under any circumstances. Please read the confidential offering documents before investing, as they contain important information on fees and risk factor. Nothing herein should be construed as investment, legal, tax, regulatory or accounting advice.